Right guys, it's been a while since I posted. Did yoghurt and sultanas etc, no joy. The vet had the results back from the intestine and faecal samples just yesterday morning. Mild presence of Cocci, medium worm count. He advised we re-worm with a different drench (had done yellow before on the lambs so we went on to clear) There was 'nothing conclusive' in the results but still four lambs lost yesterday. That's six altogether now. We had a boy die in the morning whilst I went to the vets to get steroids and antibiotics. He kind of faded away. Then another boy had what looked like an epileptic fit, frothing at the mouth and rolling his eyes. We asked an experienced friend to come and put him out of his misery, and it really was misery, but he'd died by the time he reached us. It was the most heartbreaking, disturbing thing I've ever witnessed. We had two others, a ewe lamb and a ram lamb who were both getting weaker and kept getting cast and unable to right themselves. We couldn't bear them going the same way in so much distress and confusion so our friend did the decent thing for us. I joined the Fallen Stock Register this morning and Crowdens of Newark are collecting our poor babies tomorrow morning. Decent people and so reasonable at such a sensitive time. Discovered a local knacker has ripped us off in our grief in times past. Bastard. Thanks for the posting on here people about this organisation.
It must have been Coccidiosis, I can't fathom what else could do that much damage. The fitting in the second lamb must have been from lack of blood sugars as appetite was poor. The first boy that died yesterday was one we'd thought we'd made a mistake over in bringing him across to the sick bay. He was cheeky and eating digestives and butting me and nibbling everything. He got quieter as the few days went by. I was up cradling him on Tuesday night, covered up against midges, crying and praying. I realised I couldn't function for all the rest that need me right now if I stayed up all night so reluctantly went to bed and he was still hanging on in the morning when I left for the meds.
I believe the rest of the flock have come through the worst and we've five of the sickest ones still over here who are all now thriving although Flossie is still very watery in her functions. Her belly is nice and big though and she is spritely so we have some hope for her. She's always going to be small and we have to care that bit more for her.
One happy moment came with me literally refusing to let our Dorking cockerel, Mr Muggles die on top of it all yesterday evening. Poor Muggles has digestive problems and every now and then we have to 'unbung' him so to speak. Yesterday was a bad day for him as with all our other stuff going on his unbunging was left far too long. We didn't realise he had neither eaten or drank all day but had just sat under the truck feeling miserable. He's usually good throughout the whole process but it was too much after a very tough day for him. We cleaned him out as we normally do, me holding, OH removing the solid lump of poo from his rear, then we vaseline his out tray and set him outside to produce the backed up stuff in a big explosive smelly way, which he did. then we left him with some food and water to get over the ordeal. When I returned from doing the eggs and corn for the chooks, he was in death throes. I wasn't having it, so I sat him forcibly in 'healthy upright cockerel' position on my knee and told him "NO" alot, stopping his head from exorcist movements. I got some electrolytes down him and held his beak under a dripping tap and then continued with same stance procedure until the 'I'm dying' movements ceased. This morning, he's crowing like a good boy and he's given me a bit of happiness back. That and some cuddles with my lovely flock.
I feel reluctant to lamb again after all this. It's really been just the pits. There's a kind of relief though in that I know now no more are suffering. I hope we can get past this awful episode and enjoy it all again. If anyone has any questions on the stages we had of the condition, which we weren't aware of at the time but with knowledge under our belts now are, please ask. I don't want anyone else to go through this.
